Freedom
Notes
Transcript
Liberty Bell
Liberty Bell
One of the most prominent symbols of freedom in the United States is the Liberty Bell, which hangs today in the historic district of Philadelphia. It’s been called an icon of liberty and justice. It’s most famous ringing was on July 8, 1776, when the sound of the Liberty Bell rang out from the tower of Independence Hall summoning citizens to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon. In that historic moment the Liberty Bell fulfilled the purpose designated by its inscription: "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." That inscription, of course, is taken from Leviticus 25:10.
The purpose of the bell flows out of God’s Word and so does ours. God has the same purpose for our lives today—to proclaim liberty that is only available through Jesus Christ throughout the world.
Rest in Christ
Rest in Christ
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
In a world
chaos
fighting
seeking liberty
Choosing sides
political
health
race
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Whose side?
Jesus says:
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
It is not wrong
political activist
watch news
peaceful protest
social justice
Remember
it will not
fully happen
in this life.
4th of July
celebration of liberty
Declaration of Independence
Famous Line
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
But what is liberty?
We struggle with this question
politically
spiritually
What does it mean?
Unique phrase:
“law of liberty”
Law of Liberty
Law of Liberty
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Human mindset
law =
legalism
rigid
controlling me
liberty =
freedom to choose
behave how I want
What about parenting?
Boundaries
Why?
You know
what will hurt them
what brings true joy
how to protect
Our Father.
Our God
Our Creator
The Bible
creates boundaries
to protect.
Speaking of Declaration
Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. Their conviction resulted in untold sufferings for themselves and their families. Of the fifty-six, five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army. Another had two sons captured. Nine of the fifty-six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the war.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships sunk by the British navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in poverty.
At the battle of Yorktown, the British general Cornwallis had taken over Thomas Nelson’s home for his headquarters. Nelson told General George Washington to open fire on the Nelson home. The home was destroyed and Nelson died bankrupt.
John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their thirteen children fled for their lives. His fields and mill were destroyed. For over a year, he lived in forests and caves, returning home only to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later, he died from exhaustion.
These men gave all
for freedom’s sake!
What is freedom?
lawlessness?
obedience?
Freedom and Presumption
Freedom and Presumption
The great truth of our entire dependence upon Christ for salvation lies close to the error of presumption. Freedom in Christ is by thousands mistaken for lawlessness; and because Christ came to release us from the condemnation of the law, many declare that the law itself is done away, and that those who keep it are fallen from grace. And thus, as truth and error appear so near akin, minds that are not guided by the Holy Spirit will be led to accept the error and, in so doing, place themselves under the power of Satan’s deceptions. {CTr 324.2}
God gave law
bless us
direct us
convict us
convert us
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
Law is designed
to make us happy.
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
But happy is he who keeps the law.
When you reject
prophetic revelation
live without boundaries
But not truly happy.
Happy is he
who keeps the law!
What is true happiness?
What is true liberty?
Check out this quote:
They are few who walk in the clear light of God’s word, who maintain their freedom in Christ by daily self-denial. Yet none need fail in this work of self-renunciation. God will give help to every earnest seeker.
Self-Denial
Self-Denial
True liberty,
true freedom in Christ
Self Denial
Obedience.
Why?
Sin hurts
sin kills
sin imprisons us
sin take away liberty.
A healthy church is composed of healthy Christians... Upon every one of us the Word of God enjoins freedom in Christ, freedom from the bondage of sin. {Ms67-1900.29}
Sin destroys freedom.
but
So does legalism.
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
legalism destroys the gospel.
So how can we
celebrate our freedom
not legalistic
not lawless?
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
You want to
celebrate liberty?
spiritually
politically
live free?
Serve your neighbor!
love like Christ.
Forget about yourself.
True Freedom is not freedom
True Freedom is Slavery
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.
Goes on to say:
what did that help
it leads to death
But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
Next verse
explains true freedom
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
Set free from sin
becoming slave of God.
During World War II a young soldier named David Webster of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne wrote his mother: "Stop worrying about me. I joined the parachutists to fight. I intend to fight. If necessary, I shall die fighting, but don’t worry about this because no war can be won without young men dying. Those things which are precious are saved only by sacrifice."
You are always a slave.
Slave of sin
Save of God.
You can be:
Free from righteousness
Free from sin.
You choose.
No man in this world attains to freedom from any slavery except by entrance into some higher servitude. There is no such thing as an entirely free man conceivable. - Phillips Brooks